Topic > Analysis of Hymn to the West Wind - 1547

“Hymn to the West Wind” is a type of poem that talks about the object or thing in the poem, rather than about it. Percy Bysshe Shelley honors and is constantly moved by the power of the wind and its incredible role in nature. Using all his passion and inspiration, he wrote an ode dedicated to the Wind, expressing his feelings towards him and how he strives to be like the Wind. While the ode may seem simple at first, it allows Shelley to create deeper meaning throughout his poetry through his clever use of metaphor and personification. In "Ode to the West Wind" by Percy Bysshe Shelley, Shelley is inspired by the power of the wind and, through the use of romantic elements such as imagination and nature, reaffirms the idea that inspiration can be applied especially in poet as subject. penultimate part in which Shelley begins to speak in the first person to the Wind. The tone of the poem lightens and becomes longing as Shelley imagines being one with the leaves, the clouds, and the ocean, with a combination of their power but not yet as powerful as the wind. Comparing himself to the Wind, Shelley realizes that the wind has the ability to give him the power to lead a better life, or to crush him with its might: “Oh! Lift me up like a wave, a leaf, a cloud! / I fall on the thorns of life! I'm bleeding!” (lines 53-54). He refers to the Wind as "O Uncontrollable!" (line 47) and wishes he could be just as “indomitable, swift and proud” (line 56). There is a smooth transition between parts four and five as Shelley goes from wishing he could be like the wind, to simply begging it to overpower him in exchange for his power. Shelley knows she is nothing compared to the Wind, but she still wants to share her fierce spirit, so that she can inspire people around the world with her words: “Scatter as from an unquenchable hearth, ashes and sparks, my words among men!” (lines 66-67). Although the majority of the poem leans heavily on the darker and more serious side, the last couplet ends the poem on a happier and more hopeful tone: "The trumpet of aWhile Shelley is truly inspired by the Wind, the Wind in the poem might to be something more omniscient and fierce, like the true free Spirit of God. Once this statement is made, the rest of the poem flows more easily and can be better understood. The first part, although at first glance might show a simple picture of the transition between autumn and Spring actually describes how life continually changes and adapts, without ever remaining static, due to the constant disturbance of the Spirits of God. The leaves and plants are metaphors for mankind, showing how religion can awaken or destroy them: “You from whose invisible presence the dead leaves… fill the desire with living colors and smells plain and hill” (lines 2 and 12 show that, although humans are terrified of change, however, they are able to adapt and evolve even in the most ferocious winds of change. The “ocean's sapless foliage” (line 40) is a metaphor for human life, and their fear of hearing God's voice shows how, no matter how scared they are, they can still overcome whatever obstacle is in their path. The fourth and fifth parts are now understood as prayers to God, not just a simple desire to be free. Shelley draws inspiration and strength from her faith in God and wants to use that strength to be a source of empowerment for other people.